Multi-use support pillow

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a single piece, multi-use support pillow with ends of varying heights ( 28  and  34 ) and dual inclined support surfaces ( 22 ) designed to contour and support differing parts of a human body, which helps to maintain proper body alignment with even distribution of weight throughout muscular/skeletal system of an individual. The support pillow provides support with a contour fit for potentially all of the following areas: head, neck, shoulders, torso, back, thighs, knees, shins, ankles, feet, and toes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of non-provisional U.S. Ser.No. 10/403,586, filed Mar. 31, 2003, which claims benefit of provisionalU.S. Ser. No. 60/371,082, filed Apr. 9, 2002, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to body support pillows. Specifically theinvention relates to a multi-use support pillow having an additional,novel utility for lower leg support and body alignment while resting ina substantially horizontal bodily position.

2. Description of the Related Art

For many years inventors and laypersons have attempted to find improvedways to achieve a more peaceful and pain-free lateral resting position.They have done so with the hopes of lessening issues of tossing andturning, discomfort, unease, or resultant bodily pain. These issues areassociated with each of the three different, main resting positions,that is, either on one's side, stomach, or back. Furthermore, withineach of these three main resting positions, there are varying degrees ofpositioning that also lead to the same or similar problems.

For each of these main resting positions, there arise different issueswith which to contend, all of which have been associated primarily andmore specifically with back, hip, or neck discomfort. In part, thesediscomforts are caused by the incongruencies between the flat restingsurface and the natural curvatures of the body, combined with theeffects of gravity. Resolving these discomforts has and still remainsone of the major objectives for those who work in the current field. Itis clear there is still a great need for additional resolution to theseincongruencies. This is demonstrated easily by the continuing actions ofthe many persons in the world who are still searching for ways toachieve a better night's sleep, as well as the millions who are stillwaking every day with bodily pain and discomfort.

For example, while resting on one's side, the leg that is non-adjacentto the resting surface, the “top” leg, will drop to the resting surfaceresulting in a downward pull on the top of the hip or lower-back,whereby potential discomfort is caused in both areas. Also, it willalways be the case with this resting position that there is an uneven orasymmetrical distribution of weight on the body from the affects ofgravity, which can lead to discomfort, unease, or poor muscular andskeletal alignment. There is no way to totally resolve this situation,unless the affects of gravity on the body are stopped altogether.However, assistance is found in the current art for persons who chooseto rest on his or her side.

A support designed to fit between the legs for elevation helps achieve amore even lateral upper leg, hip, and back alignment. Some of thecurrent support means accomplishes this, but many do not provide supportfor the lower part of the leg. Thus, the lower leg will still pull downon the area above the knee region, which potentially causes a problemsimilar to the original one, albeit it possibly with less intensity ofresultant discomfort. There still remains a great potential forresultant discomfort on the knee, thigh and hip region instead of thelower back under such circumstances. The original issue might beresolved to some extent, but new ones arise because of these‘half-solutions’. It is also clear that much of the prior art does notallow for versatility in use for other areas of the body, inter alia,head, neck, back, hips, thighs, ankles, feet, and limits maneuverabilityof the user, while being offered as a single unit design.

While resting on one's back, the primary discomfort is found in thelower back region, with potential discomfort all the way up into theneck. The primary cause for the lower back discomfort is the shape ofthe lower spinal curvature juxtaposed with the flat resting surface.This natural body curvature prevents an even distribution of body weighton the resting, support surface, which subsequently leads to muscular orskeletal discomfort. Attempts to solve this problem have been made byplacing a support for elevation underneath the back of the thighs. Thismeans of support helps rotate the buttocks and hips upward and pulls thelower spine curvature downward, which allows the lower back region torest more evenly on the resting surface area, thus lessening the strainon the lower-back muscles and spine. Many means of support in thecurrent art provide such support, but lack versatility of use or arevery bulky in size, which takes away from the maneuverability of theuser. Furthermore, when not in use, storage of such items isaesthetically unpleasing or inconvenient for the user.

Resting on one's stomach has been linked primarily to back and hipdiscomfort, yet this resting position, if the body is alignedsymmetrically, allows for an even distribution of weight throughout theentire body. Symmetrical body positioning and even weight distributionare desirable, as the muscular and skeletal pressures are the same onboth sides or halves of the body, allowing for even stress from theaffects of gravity on the body as a system, which simultaneously growsor repairs itself during the resting period. Also, in this restingposition, most, but not all, of the body is capable of resting evenly onthe resting surface, and this is where the identification of originaldiscomfort begins. The eventual tossing and turning or lower back or hipdiscomfort, stress, or pain associated with this resting position can beidentified and understood through a process-oriented perspective.

In the stomach resting position, most of the trunk and lower body willlie evenly on the resting surface, but the top of the delicate toes andfeet will carry the burden of the weight of the lower leg. The shin,foot, and ankle areas are incapable of resting flat or evenly along theresting surface. This happens due to the inability of most persons tofully straighten the ankle in respect to the shin. This leads toeventual discomfort in the top of the delicate toes, feet, or ankles.

The body then compensates by pivoting one or both of the ankles to theside and, because everything in the body is connected, the rest of theleg and hip pivot to the side as well. The discomfort is alleviated inthe foot area, but new discomforts arise in the hips or lower-back dueto asymmetry in body positioning and weight distribution or to theunnatural position when both legs pivot out at close to a 90 degreeangle starting at the ankles. With this new set of circumstantialdiscomforts, the body does not return to the original point ofdiscomfort, but generally compensates again with an upward movement ofone of the legs, thereby temporarily relieving the static positionassociated with the discomfort in the hip or lower-back regions.Unfortunately, this only increases the asymmetry of body positioningwith greater likelihood of discomfort and potential bodily pains withevery inch of leg movement upward, because the amount of asymmetry isincreased as the leg moves up and away from the body, along with anincreased lack of support with upward torso elevation away from thesupport surface. The cycle is set in motion until the person turnscompletely over onto the side, which brings into play an entirely newset of circumstantial discomforts.

While resting on one's side, as stated previously, because of thetotally asymmetrical position of the body and the apparent irresolvableaffects of gravity, discomfort will arise for most persons, at whichpoint the person will either turn over onto the back (again with a newset of circumstantial discomforts as described above), onto the oppositeside with only temporary relief, or return to resting on the stomach.The vicious cycle continues with tossing and turning all night, whichtakes away from the quality of rest the body needs, all with discomfortand potentially resultant bodily pains within and upon rising from theresting context.

Hence, from a process-oriented perspective, the originating point(s) fordiscomfort are identified and how the subsequent byproduct of tossingand turning, unease, or bodily pains is caused is understood. From thispoint a proper solution can be devised and offered to help personsachieve a healthier period of rest.

However, attempts at resolution have been aimed at fighting thebyproduct, instead of attacking the root causal factor. This is one ofthe greatest unmet needs of today's current art of pillow support. Infact, the prior art teaches away from resting on the stomach. U.S. Pat.No. 5,199,124 is designed for the purpose of preventing a person fromresting on his or her stomach. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,314states that one of the objectives of the invention is to inhibit anindividual from lying on his or her stomach.

Head or neck discomforts are associated with all of these aforementionedresting positions. The current field has found numerous ways ofsupporting the head and neck in differing positions to resolve potentialdiscomfort, but there are drawbacks that pertain to versatility of thehead support overall, which essentially locks the user into one or tworesting positions alone. An example of this is U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,401that discloses a support pillow having two curved sides for a person torest either on his or her side or back, but lacks the versatility to beused while resting on the stomach. This support pillow also lacks‘flippability’ for equal use on either lateral side of the supportsurface and can only be used on one side.

Generally, most prior support articles until now have addressed onlypart of the problem. These prior support articles have limited areas ofbody coverage and lack the proper intervention point(s) whereby a morepeaceful period of rest can be accomplished, while allowing forversatility of use and maneuverability of the user and whilesimultaneously maintaining desired comfort levels. Further drawbacksinclude bulkiness of the support articles, expense of manufacturing,which equals end-user expense, inadequate support, or lack of ease instoring the support object when not in use. This field is crowded withmany pillows, mattresses, cushions, and wedges made of gelatin, liquid,or air filled for the head, neck, torso, back, hips, thighs, knees,feet, and ankles. Not one of these is, by design, used potentially forall these different areas of the body, while in any lateral restingposition, and offered as a single-piece unit.

In considering prior art mattresses, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,665,573 and3,808,615 disclose attempts by the inventors to help support either theankles and foot area, lower-back, or head and neck areas. Bothinventions provide a limited amount of maneuverability by the users,i.e., a user cannot rest in a diagonal position in respect to themattress itself. Other obvious drawbacks to both of these examples ofmattresses are the expense, bulkiness of the unit and lack ofversatility in use.

With respect to the torso area body of coverage, U.S. Pat. Nos.5,245,719 and 5,497,519 each disclose very bulky units that restrict theways in which the body may be positioned and that lack versatility inuse. With respect to back of the thigh elevation for lower-back support,U.S. Pat. No. 4,432,108 is limited in that the support continues downtoward the ankle area thereby losing the leg's potential forside-to-side pivoting, as well as locking the user into one restingposition alone. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,173,979 and 5,497,520. Thesize of both units is very large and bulky, and essentially restrictsthe range of movements of the user. This limits the user to one bodyposition alone, negating the possibility of lying on the side orstomach. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,797,153 and 5,878,453 both exemplify attemptsto solve the lower-back issue through thigh elevation support means, butboth are bulky units that limit the user's maneuverability on theresting surface and lack versatility of use, in particular, fullyresting on one's stomach.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,314 instantiates a support means for elevation ofthe upper thighs for lower-back support and alignment while resting onone's back, as well as a different use of placing the support betweenthe knees and legs for lateral body alignment while resting on one'sside. It comprises versatile elevation through removable/attachablelayers for varying sizes and comfort of the user, which in itself is anagreeable way to help more people, however the user must change theelevation of the unit outside the resting context. This adds tocomplexity of use and makes it more probable that the user will bearoused from an otherwise potentially more restful state. In respect toresting on the side, this item only supports the thighs and does notallow the user to support the entire leg, which leads to potentialdiscomfort, as described above, in the knee and hip areas. This supportmeans also lacks the versatility of use while resting on the stomach,and as also mentioned above, teaches away from resting on the stomach.

Other prior art support pillows do not have a unit body structure. U.S.Pat. No. 4,803,743 discloses a therapeutic pillow for supporting thehead and neck. Support is provided by a pair of pillow members whichwhen bonded together combine to form a pillow of variable densities.Thus, in addition to a more complex structure, the degree of supportvaries throughout the pillow and is dependent upon placement of the headand neck on a particular location on the pillow surface. The supportpillow is not designed to support and align parts of the body other thanthe head and neck.

A need in the art still exists to provide a single multi-use supportpillow capable of supporting almost any body part or combination of bodyparts in any substantially horizontal resting position with the addedease of adjustment for size and comfort levels inside the restingposition. Specifically, the prior art is deficient in a multi-usesupport pillow combining an inclined support surface with supportiveends and side edges to provide the proper support and body alignment forthose who choose to rest on the side, stomach, back, or throughout therange of different possible resting positions therebetween. The presentinvention fulfills this long-standing need and desire in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The multi-use support pillow described herein is constructed to providesatisfaction and resolution for an existing unmet need in providing morecomfortable resting support and posture for an individual in anysubstantially horizontal position. The multi-use support pillow islightweight, non-bulky, easy to use and inexpensive. An inclined supportsurface in combination with curved and/or partially curved and/oruncurved or planar ends and supportive side edges provides improvedsupport for the toes, ankles, feet, shins, thighs, back, torso,shoulders, neck, and head or combinations thereof for individuals whochoose to rest on the side, stomach, back, or throughout the range ofdifferent possible resting positions therebetween. Size and comfortversatility is accommodated by having the user simply and easily adjustfor different size and comfort levels inside the resting position with amere shift of the support structure in respect to the body.

The present invention is directed to a support pillow for one or moreareas of a human body. The pillow comprises a single-piece pillow body.of a uniformly dense pillow material that has a flat lower surface andan upper surface disposed at an incline to the lower surface, where thelower surface and the upper surface form oppositely disposed endstherebetween, and side edges disposed along the upper surface betweenthe oppositely disposed ends.

The present invention also is directed to a related support pillow forone or more areas of a human body also comprising a single piece pillowbody of a uniformly dense pillow material. The related support pillowcomprises a planar upper surface disposed at an incline to a flat lowersurface, where the lower surface and the planar upper surface formoppositely disposed curved ends therebetween, and side edges disposedalong the upper surface between the oppositely disposed ends.

The present invention also is directed to a method of maintaining bodyalignment and weight distribution within an individual in asubstantially prone position to prevent or alleviate stress on the bodyduring a period of rest. The pillow body comprising the support pillowdescribed herein is positioned in supportive juxtaposition to an area ofthe body of the individual. The area of the body may encompass theshins, ankles and feet or may encompass the head, the head and neck orthe head, neck and shoulder or encompass the torso. Alternatively two orthree pillow bodies may be positioned in supportive juxtaposition to twoor three of the supported areas. The juxtaposition of the inclined uppersurface in combination with one or both of the ends or with one or bothof the side edges or with one or both of the ends and one or both of theside edges of the pillow body to one or more of the areas of the bodymaintains body alignment and weight distribution in the substantiallyprone position thereby preventing or alleviating stress thereon.

Other and further aspects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from the following description of thepresently preferred embodiments of the invention. These embodiments aregiven for the purpose of disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 exemplifies a perspective view of the support pillow.

FIG. 2A exemplifies a side view of a person resting on the stomach withan inability to completely straighten the foot in respect to the shin.FIG. 2B exemplifies a side view of the toe, foot, and ankle support usewhile resting on one's stomach.

FIG. 3 exemplifies a side/over view of the torso support use for aperson resting on an inclined stomach-to-side resting position.

FIG. 4 exemplifies a side view of the face-angled down, head and necksupport use while resting on one's stomach.

FIG. 5 exemplifies a side view of a lower curved-end head support usewhile resting on one's stomach.

FIG. 6 exemplifies a side view of the higher curved-end neck and headsupport use while resting on one's side.

FIG. 7 exemplifies a side view of the between the thighs, knees, andankles support use while resting on one's side.

FIG. 8A exemplifies a side view of a person resting on his or her backwith the lower spinal curvature's inability to lie evenly on the restingsurface.

FIG. 8B exemplifies a side view of the under-the-thigh, lower-backsupport use while resting on one's back.

FIG. 9 exemplifies a side view of the higher curved end neck and headsupport use while resting on one's back.

FIG. 10 exemplifies a side view of the inclined head, neck, or shouldersupport use while resting on one's back.

FIG. 11 exemplifies a perspective view of one possible alternativeembodiment.

FIG. 12 exemplifies a perspective view of another possible alternativeembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a supportpillow for one or more areas of a human body, comprising a single-piecepillow body of a uniformly dense material having a flat lower surface;an upper surface disposed at an incline to the lower surface, where thelower surface and the upper surface form oppositely disposed endstherebetween; and side edges disposed along the upper surface betweenthe oppositely disposed ends.

In all aspects of this embodiment the pillow body may have a width ofabout 13 inches. Also, the pillow body may have a length of about 25inches. Additionally, one of the oppositely disposed ends may have aheight up to about 1.0 inches and the other of the oppositely disposedends may have a height of about 3 inches to about 4 inches.

In aspects of this embodiment, the upper surface of the support pillowmay be planar or curved. Also, in other aspects one or both of theoppositely disposed ends curve outwardly. Alternatively, one or both ofthe oppositely disposed ends may have an upper outwardly curvedcomponent and a lower planar component. In another aspect, the end at alower edge of the inclined surface may be planar. In additional aspects,the side edges may be linear or curved. In a particular aspect the sideedges may be curved proximate to one of said oppositely disposed ends.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the upper inclined surface incombination with one or both of said ends of the pillow body comprises asupport means for the support pillow. In another related aspect, theupper inclined surface in combination with one of the ends of the pillowbody and one of the side edges comprises a support means for the supportpillow. In yet another related aspect, the upper inclined surface incombination with one or both of the ends of the pillow body and one orboth of the side edges comprises a support means for the support pillow.

In a related embodiment of the present invention there is provided asupport pillow for one or more areas of a human body, comprising asingle-piece pillow body of a uniformly dense material having a flatlower surface; a planar upper surface disposed at an incline to thelower surface, where the lower surface and the upper surface formoppositely disposed curved ends therebetween; and side edges disposedalong the upper surface between the oppositely disposed ends. In anaspect of this embodiment the oppositely disposed ends may curveoutwardly. Furthermore, in all aspects the dimensions of the pillow bodyand the support means comprising the combinations of the inclined planarupper surface, one or both of the curved ends and one or both of theside edges is as described supra.

In another embodiment of the present invention there is provided amethod of maintaining body alignment and weight distribution of anindividual in a substantially prone position to prevent or alleviatestress on the body during a period of rest comprising positioning thepillow body of the support pillow described supra in supportivejuxtaposition to an area of the body encompassing shins, ankles and feetof the individual; or positioning said pillow body in supportivejuxtaposition to an area of the body encompassing the head, the head andneck or the head, neck and shoulder of the individual; or positioningsaid pillow body in supportive juxtaposition to an area of the bodyencompassing the torso of the individual; or positioning two or threepillow bodies in supportive juxtaposition to two or three of saidsupported areas; where the juxtaposition of the inclined planar uppersurface in combination with one or both of the ends or with one or bothof the side edges or with one or both of said ends and one or both ofsaid side edges of said pillow body to one or more of said areas of thebody maintains body alignment and weight distribution in thesubstantially prone position thereby preventing or alleviating stressthereon.

The present invention provides a multi-use support pillow havingnumerous advantages over prior art support pillows that translate intohigher quality in terms of functional versatility for certain uses inall main regions of the body. The multi-use support pillow providesgreater overall user maneuverability along the resting surface. Thus,the support pillow provided herein is constructed to support the body atthe head, neck, shoulders, back, torso, thighs, shins, ankles, feet, ortoes, or appropriate anatomical combinations thereof, while resting onthe side, back, stomach or varying degrees between these positions.Additionally, the multi-use support pillow comprises relativelyinexpensive materials thereby potentially allowing a greater number ofpeople to gain from the benefits the support pillow provides.

The multi-use support pillow is constructed as a single unit with alower planar surface and an upper inclined support surface. The inclinedsupport surface may be planar or curved. These surfaces comprise anupper end and a lower end therebetween. The ends each may be uniformlycurved, partially curved or a combination thereof. The planar andincline support surfaces further have side edges therebetween. Theside-edges may be linear or curved.

The configuration of the inclined support surface, one or both of theupper and lower ends of the support pillow, a side edge or a combinationthereof provides the requisite support for the one or more body partssupported thereon. The dimensions of the multi-use support pillowresults in ease of maneuverability while in a resting or substantiallyhorizontal position. Additionally, the dimensions of the support pilloware defined so that one or more support pillows may be positioned tosupport different individual body parts or a combination of body partssuch that proper symmetrical alignment of the entire body is maintainedin the chosen position. The multi-use support pillow has dimensions, forexample as described herein, although not limited to said, such that theuse of one support pillow will not interfere with placement and propersupport of additional support pillows used simultaneously.

Without being limited to values for length, width and height, it iscontemplated that the support pillow may have increased or decreaseddimensions, from those described herein. These may be determined, forexample, by below average, average or above-average height ranges forhumans, to provide proper support in a comfortable manner. Additionally,the use of a support pillow having an increase or decrease, or acombination thereof, in dimension(s) will not interfere with thesimultaneous placement and proper support of the support pillowdescribed herein.

The multi-use support pillow is a single piece construction of a lightweight, uniformly dense and compressible, but supportive, materialsuitable for use in a pillow. For example, the support pillow may be asingle-piece of foam shaped to have the support features describedherein. Although not limited to such, an example of a foam material is avisco-elastic foam. The visco-elastic foam may comprise characteristicssuch as heat sensitivity and slow rebound from compression. This allowsthe pillow to “mold” to the areas of the body in contact with thesupport pillow. This in combination with the support provided by theconfiguration of the inclined surface, side edges and ends of the pillowprevents the pillow from being simply crushed or flattened by the bodypart supported thereon.

The multi-use support pillow may comprise a covering means. Pillowcovers are well known and standard in the art and may comprise alight-weight cloth or fabric, such as, but not limited to, terry cloth.The support pillow itself may be spot cleaned. The cloth or fabric iswashable, but, optionally, may be at least water-resistant or comprise awater-resistant or water-proof surface that is disposed adjacent theouter surface of the pillow body. The cloth or fabric may be treated tobe at least water-resistant or comprise such properties in and ofitself. Furthermore, the cloth or fabric may comprise a flame-retardant.

The multi-use support pillow may be inserted into an opening on thepillow cover that is designed so that the pillow cover completely coversand retains the support pillow therein. Alternatively, the pillow coverfurther may comprise means to fasten the pillow cover. Fastening meansmay be, but are not limited to, a zipper, snaps, buttons, or Velcro. Thepillow cover is designed so that any opening therein or fastening meansthereof do not interfere with the supportive features of the multi-usesupport pillow nor the comfort of the user.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a non-bulky,easy-to-use support pillow for all identified resting positions. Duringuse, the multi-use support pillow provides support for almost every areaof the body thereby helping the user rest more evenly on the supportsurface, help align or maintain proper body alignment while resting onthe side, stomach, or back, and help distribute weight more evenlythroughout the body. During use an individual may rest comfortably whilemaintaining a correct symmetrical bodily alignment position in thechosen resting position using one or more support pillows to support oneor more individual body parts or combinations of body parts.Furthermore, the multi-use support pillow provides ease in adjustabilitywithin the resting context and in body positioning.

Particularly, for an individual resting on his or her stomach the headmay be supported by one of the side edges allowing for a clear,unobstructed nasal passageway. The lower leg may be supported so thatless tossing and turning, discomfort, or pain resulting from the initialpoint of discomfort on the top of the delicate toes and foot whileresting on the stomach. Specifically, positioning the support pillowunder the shin, ankle, and foot redistributes the main pressure on thetop of the delicate toes and feet more evenly across the lower leg,while resting on the stomach to maintain symmetrical alignment of thetrunk and lower-body.

Also, for an individual resting on his or her side, between-the-legsplacement achieves full lower leg support for lateral bodily alignment.Furthermore, for an individual resting on his or her backunder-the-thigh elevation will cause the hips to pivot upward and todrop the lower-back downward for more even weight distribution andsupport on the flat resting surface, thus reducing stress on thelower-back area.

More particularly, it is contemplated that the multi-use support pillowmay have, although not limited to, the following uses. First, it can beused while resting on one's stomach under the shin, ankle, and foot tosupport and distribute the weight on the delicate toes and top of thefoot more evenly across the lower leg to eliminate discomfort in thehips and back areas. Secondly, it can be used as a head, neck, orshoulder support pillow for straightening or supporting the cervicalalignment while resting on the side, back, or stomach. Thirdly, it canbe used in conjunction with a conventional pillow to raise the head in amore comfortable position for reading, watching TV, or any otheractivity whereby the person would like the head to be elevated andtilted forward for viewing. Fourthly, it can be used as a torso pillowwhile lying on the side or stomach to help support and distribute theweight on this area of the body more evenly, thereby reducing stress oncertain areas of the torso, lower-back, or hips. Fifthly, it can be usedas a “hug pillow” by persons who like to have something up against thefront part of the body while lying down. Sixthly, it can be used toelevate the thigh region while lying on one's back to allow the hip areanear the lumbar region to pivot downwardly while the hip area near thethe thigh region pivots upwardly with respect to the body, which allowsthe lower lumbar area to shift down toward the resting surface for moreeven distribution of body weight, thus helping alleviate potentialstress in the lower-back. Seventhly, it can be used while a person isresting on the side by positioning the support pillow between the legsto shift the hips into a more evenly aligned body position, all the wayfrom the hips down to the ankles, which alleviates potential strain onthe knees, hips, and lower-back, and allows users of various sizes toselect level of comfort through the support pillow's positioning.

As described herein, the invention provides a number of therapeuticadvantages and uses. Embodiments of the present invention are betterdescribed below with reference to the Figures, however, such descriptionor reference is not meant to limit the present invention in any fashion.The embodiments and variations described in detail herein are to beinterpreted by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Reference Numerals Used in the Figures

20—Lower curved end

22—Inclined support surface

24—Side edge

25—Support pillow

26—Higher curved end

28—Higher curved end height

30—Support width

32—Support length

34—Lower curved end height

As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, in FIGS. 1-10,the invention is generally embodied in a support pillow 25 made of foam.

FIG. 1 shows the support pillow 25 as a single piece unit with aninclined support surface 22, spanning a support width 30 between twosurface ends having an inner concave shape, a higher curved end 26 and alower curved end 20 of differing heights, a higher curved end height 28and a lower curved end height 34, respectively. At each end of thesupport pillow 25 along a support length 32, there is a side edge 24. Inthis embodiment the support length 32 is about 25 inches, the supportwidth 30 is about 13.5 inches, the higher curved end height 28 is about3.5 inches, the lower curved end height 34 is about 0.5 inch, and sideedge 24 is angled 90 degrees.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, FIGS. 2A-2B and 7-10 depict uses ofthe support pillow 25 for each different resting position. In general,as shown in FIGS. 1-10 for all uses, the higher curved end 26 and thelower curved end 20 are each symmetrical, which allows for the supportpillow 25 to be used on either lateral side. Thus, the support pillow 25can be rotated or “flipped” over laterally and used on either side withequal functionality on both sides.

Specifically, FIGS. 2A-2B and FIGS. 7-10 illustrate a user of supportpillow 25 as either resting on the user's side, back, stomach ordiffering degrees of resting positions between them for thecorresponding areas of body coverage. More specifically, when opting torest on one's stomach, there are numerous potential uses for the supportpillow 25, as illustrated herein.

FIG. 2A illustrates the normal inability of most persons to fullystraighten the foot in respect to the shin, which would allow him or herto rest the lower leg more evenly across the resting surface. Thisinability leads to potential discomfort in the toes, feet, or ankles.

In contrast to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B provides a novel approach in creating amore comfortable and appropriate bodily position for those who wish torest on the stomach is illustrated. Even though many persons havedescribed this resting position as irreconcilably troublesome,identifying the main point of initial discomfort, which sets in motionthe process of tossing and turning leading to potential bodily aches andpains, is the key first step to understanding this unmet need.

FIG. 2B illustrates the proper positioning for the support pillow 25 toeliminate initial discomfort and thereby the resulting unwanted effects.The lower curved end 20 curvature and the lower curved end height 34allow for a non-intrusive, comfortable contact point providing atransition of weight of the lower leg onto the inclined support surface22. The weight from the lower legs is distributed more evenly across theinclined support surface 22 throughout the support width 30 with aninclination in respect to the resting surface due to the difference inthe lower curved end height 34, the higher curved end height 28, and thesupport width 30. The higher curved end height 28 and the higher curvedend 26 provide an elevated curvature that contours to the ankles withoutrestricting the ankles' range of motion, thus providing support andmaneuverability for the user's lower leg. This resolves the discomforton the delicate foot and toes, thereby allowing the individual tomaintain a symmetrical trunk-to-lower body alignment with an evendistribution of weight on the body.

FIG. 3 illustrates another use of the support pillow 25 for the torsoregion while opting to rest on the stomach-to-side. The lower curved end20 curvature and lower curved height 34 meet the user's body in anon-intrusive, comfortable manner allowing the torso area to rest on theinclined support surface 22 to whatever degree of coverage chosen, e.g.,between slight use to full torso support. As the leg moves out and awayfrom the body, the hip on the same side as the projecting leg iselevated, creating a stressful pull on the back or hip areas, which thenare not properly supported. Inserting the support pillow under thetorso, especially the lower torso, area helps reduce the stress in theseareas. Due to the difference in the higher curved end height 28 and thelower curved end height 34 along the support width 30, there exists aninclination of the inclined support surface 22 of the support pillow 25,which can be used for a variety of elevations, whereby the user chooseshow much support height he or she would like. The support width 30 andsupport length 32 provide the user with versatility and maneuverabilitywith part or whole torso, back, and hip support and comfort. Moving thesupport pillow down or the body upward can provide support for theextending leg in part or in toto depending on the user's desire.

FIG. 4 illustrates another use of the support pillow 25 while resting onone's stomach. The curvature of lower curved end 20 and lower curvedheight 34 meet the user's body in a non-intrusive, comfortable mannerallowing the head to rest on the inclined support surface 22 and sideedge 24. The user can move along the support width 30 on the inclinedsupport surface 22 and the side edge 24 for varied chosen elevatedsupport of the head or chest due to the inclination derived from thedifference in the lower curved end height 34, the higher curved endheight 28, and the support width 30. This allows the user greatversatility and maneuverability while using the support pillow 25 inthis manner. This particular use allows the user to maintain greatersymmetrical upper body head, neck, and upper back alignment, thusreducing strain on the upper shoulder and neck regions. The user canalso maintain a variety of differing angles for supporting the head onthe side edge 24. The 90-degree angle of the side edge 24 allows theuser to overhang the nose, which supports the head and stimulates thenasal passage, which helps open the nasal passage airway for clearer andmore open breathing.

FIG. 5 illustrates another use of the support pillow 25 while resting onone's stomach. The lower curved end 20 and lower curved height 34 meetthe user's body in a non-intrusive, comfortable manner allowing the headto rest on the inclined support surface 22. The user can move along thesupport width 30 and inclined support surface 22 for varied chosenelevated support for the chest, neck, or head, due to the inclinationderived from the difference in the lower curved end height 34, thehigher curved end height 28, and the support width 30. This allows theuser great versatility and maneuverability while using the supportpillow 25 in this manner. More specifically, when opting to rest onone's side, there are numerous uses for the support pillow 25, asillustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 6 illustrates one use of the support pillow 25 that provides acontoured support surface for the head and neck while resting on one'sside. The higher curved end height 28 and the higher curved end 26provide an elevated support surface and contour, respectively, tocomfortably support the neck while the head rests on the inclinedsupport surface 22, which has an actual declination in respect to thehigher curved end height 28 down toward the lower curved end height 34.The support pillow 25 provides a contoured support that allows an evendistribution of weight of the head and neck, as well as helping maintainhead, neck, and spinal alignment.

FIG. 7 illustrates the support pillow 25 used for body alignment for theside resting position. Placed between the legs along the support length32, the support pillow 25 helps maintain a lateral alignment of thelegs, hips, and lower back of the body, thereby reducing potentialstress on these areas. The varying height of the flat-raised supportsurface 22 throughout the support width 30, due to the differences ofthe lower curved end height 34 and the higher curved end height 28,allows users of varying sizes to choose the elevation of the entire legregion by simply sliding the support pillow 25 toward the body, i.e.,increasing the elevation, or away from the body, i.e., decreasing theelevation, with respect to the front of the legs or body. The lowercurved end 20 allows the user a non-intrusive, comfortable contact orinsertion point between the legs. More specifically, when opting to reston one's back, there are additional uses for the support pillow, asillustrated in FIGS. 8B-10.

FIG. 8A is a side view of a person resting on the back with the lowerspinal curvature's inability to lay evenly on the resting surface;thereby resulting in potential lower-back discomfort due to lack ofsupport of said area. FIG. 8B illustrates the behind-the-thigh use ofthe support pillow 25, which allows the body, in particular thelower-back region, to align more evenly on the resting surface, therebyalleviating some of the stress caused by the weight of the bodysuspended above the resting surface, which lacks support. The supportpillow 25 comfortably meets the buttocks or back of the upper thighbecause of the design of the lower-curved end 20 and the lower curvedend height 34. The support pillow provides the inclination of theinclined support surface 22 between the lower curved end 20 and highercurved end 26 through the difference between the higher curved endheight 28 and the lower curved end height 34, along with the supportwidth 30. The backs of the thighs rest on the inclined support surface22 up to the higher curved end 26. The higher curved end 26 and thehigher curved end height 28 provide a curvature to help contour andsupport, respectively, the back of the knee, which will be allowed tofall back comfortably and naturally to the resting surface. Theresultant elevation of the thighs on the support pillow 25 pivots thebuttock and hips downward in respect to the body, which causes thelower-back region to move down and align more evenly with the restingsurface; thus helping to alleviate potential lower-back discomfort dueto the natural curvature of the lower spine for more even weightdistribution on the resting surface.

FIG. 9 illustrates another use of the support pillow 25 for neck andhead support while resting on the back. The higher curved end height 28provides support to the neck's natural elevation and the higher curvedend 26 provides a curvature appropriate for contoured support of theneck and head. The differences between the higher curved end height 28and the lower curved end height 34 along the support width 30 creates adeclination, in respect to the head and neck regions, appropriate forthe contour of the back of the head and neck along and on top of theinclined support surface 22.

FIG. 10 illustrates another use of the support pillow 25 for the head,neck, or shoulders while resting on the back. The support pillow 25meets the shoulders or neck at the lower-curved end 20, which allows anon-intrusive, comfortable meeting point because of the curvature shapeof the lower-curved end 20 and the lower curved end height 34. Due tothe differences of the lower curved end height 34 and the higher curvedend height 28, the user is now allowed to rest more evenly on thesupport pillow 25, creating an even distribution of weight of the head,neck or shoulders on the inclined surface 22.

FIG. 11 is an alternative embodiment of the support pillow 25 having amodification of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1. The curvature of thehigher curved end 26 and the lower curved end 20 have a semi-archedcurvature over an upper portion of the higher curved end height 28 andhave a semi-arched curvature over an upper portion of the lower curvedend height 28. This embodiment can be varied in support width 30,support length 32, higher curved end height 28, and lower curved endheight 34, thus creating different angles of the inclined supportsurface 22. The side edge 24 remains the same for all intended purposes.This alternative embodiment is the same in terms of the overallfunctional intent as the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-10, except thesupport pillow has only one inclined support surface 22, effectivelyremoving the ability to rotate or to flip the support pillow 25. Thispotentially allows the invention to be manufactured at a lower cost,which will equal lower end-user cost.

FIG. 12 is another alternative embodiment of the support pillow 25having a different modification of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1.The side edge now has a curved edge instead of a 90-degree angle. Theinclined support surface 22, spanning a support width 30 between twoconcave shaped surface ends, a higher curved end 26 and a lower curvedend 20 of differing heights, a higher curved end height 28 and a lowercurved end height 34, respectively, and the location of a side edge 24at each end of the support pillow 25 along a support length 32 remainthe same for all intended purposes. Functionality of this alternativeembodiment is the same as the preferred embodiment (FIGS. 1-10), exceptthe support pillow 25 has a side edge 24 with a slight curvature usedfor the facedown position, as seen in FIG. 9. This allows the user toturn the head to differing degrees more easily and comfortably.

While the present invention has been described in connection with whatare presently considered to be the most practical and preferredembodiments, it is not limited to the disclosed embodiments alone, butto the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications andequivalent arrangements included within the spirit of the invention,which is set forth in the appended claims and which scope is to beaccorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all suchmodifications and equivalent structures.

1. A support pillow for one or more areas of a human body comprising: asingle-piece pillow body of uniform density having a flat lower surface;an upper surface disposed at an incline to the lower surface, whereinsaid lower surface and said upper surface form oppositely disposed endstherebetween; and side edges disposed along the upper surface betweensaid oppositely disposed ends.
 2. The support pillow of claim 1, whereinsaid upper surface is planar or curved.
 3. The support pillow of claim1, wherein said side edges are linear or curved.
 4. The support pillowof claim 3, wherein side edges are curved proximate to one of saidoppositely disposed ends.
 5. The support pillow of claim 1, wherein oneor both of said oppositely disposed ends curves outwardly.
 6. Thesupport pillow of claim 1, wherein one or both of said oppositelydisposed ends have an upper outwardly curved component and a lowerplanar component.
 7. The support pillow of claim 1, wherein the end at alower edge of said inclined surface is planar.
 8. The support pillow ofclaim 1, wherein said upper inclined surface in combination with one orboth of said ends of the pillow body comprises a support means for thesupport pillow.
 9. The support pillow of claim 1, wherein said upperinclined surface in combination with one of said ends of the pillow bodyand one of said side edges comprises a support means for the supportpillow.
 10. The support pillow of claim 1, wherein said upper inclinedsurface in combination with one or both of said ends of the pillow bodyand one or both of said side edges comprises a support means for thesupport pillow.
 11. The support pillow of claim 1, wherein said pillowbody has a width of about 13 in.
 12. The support pillow of claim 1,wherein said pillow body has a length of about 25 in.
 13. The supportpillow of claim 1, wherein one of said oppositely disposed ends has aheight up to about 1.0 inches and the other of said oppositely disposedends has a height of about 3 inches to about 4 inches.
 14. A supportpillow for one or more areas of a human body, comprising: a single-piecepillow body of uniform density a flat lower surface; a planar uppersurface disposed at an incline to the lower surface, wherein said lowersurface and said upper surface form oppositely disposed curved endstherebetween; and side edges disposed along the upper surface betweensaid oppositely disposed ends.
 15. The support pillow of claim 14,wherein said oppositely disposed ends curve outwardly.
 16. The supportpillow of claim 14, wherein said inclined planar upper surface incombination with one or both of said ends of the pillow body comprises asupport means for the support pillow.
 17. The support pillow of claim14, wherein said inclined planar upper surface in combination with oneof said ends of the pillow body and one of said side edges comprises asupport means for the support pillow.
 18. The support pillow of claim14, wherein said inclined planar upper surface in combination with oneor both of said ends of the pillow body and one or both of said sideedges comprises a support means for the support pillow.
 19. The supportpillow of claim 14, wherein said pillow body has a width of about 13inches.
 20. The support pillow of claim 14, wherein said pillow body hasa length of about 25 inches.
 21. The support pillow of claim 14, whereinone of said curved ends has a height up to about 1.0 inches and theother of said curved ends has a height of about 3 inches to about 4inches.
 22. A method of maintaining body alignment and weightdistribution of an individual in a substantially prone position toprevent or alleviate stress on the body during a period of rest,comprising: positioning the pillow body of the support pillow of claim 1in supportive juxtaposition to an area of the body encompassing shins,ankles and feet of the individual; or positioning said pillow body insupportive juxtaposition to an area of the body encompassing the head,the head and neck or the head, neck and shoulder of the individual; orpositioning said pillow body in supportive juxtaposition to an area ofthe body encompassing the torso of the individual; or positioning two orthree pillow bodies in supportive juxtaposition to two or three of saidsupported areas; wherein the juxtaposition of the inclined upper surfacein combination with one or both of the ends or with one or both of theside edges or with one or both of said ends and one or both of said sideedges of said pillow body to one or more of said areas of the bodymaintains body alignment and body support in the substantially proneposition thereby preventing or alleviating stress thereon.